Ask a handful of businesses whether their service that allows the option of subscribing to boxes of goods is a "subscription box service," several will likely explain why they are not. Stitch Fix eschewed the label when marketing its public offering to investors, sources have told CNBC. (Stitch Fix offers customers the chance to buy without a subscription or change the frequency of their subscription.) Amazon similarly contends its Amazon prime wardrobe service is not a subscription box service.
I’ve had Bark Box for several months now. I purchased the “extra toy option” and with that we still only receive 3 toys every month and 2-3 treat. It’s not 4-6 toys. Wish it was. My dog is under 20 lbs. not sure if that would make a difference. I love their monthly themes! A surprise for me as well as I look forward to seeing what it is for the month.

My C/S rep was nice and answered my question, but I was not happy with the answer. When we started, referred friends got a free box and we received a free box. That has changed and we were not notified. I referred a friend and they did not get a free box so they did not sign up. It made me look foolish. If I would have known I would have referred them, but not told them they would get a free first box.

Claire likes: I *adore* a good theme, which made opening this box an utterly delightful experience for my extreme type-A soul. The hippo has easily become Ruggie's favorite toy of all time; it was one of the only things that comforted her after her surgery. It's part rope, part stuffed animal, part nubby ball with squeaker inside, and while Ruggie hasn't done much damage to it yet, I'm betting this would be a great toy for power chewers since it's basically toy-ception.
Last month it took way longer than normal to get our barbox. I didn’t complain about it or anything. It happens. I got an email from barkbox today that said because my last shipment took so long to get to me, they upgraded me to 2 day shipping for the remainder of my membership. I have been completely satisfied with every box we have gotten and am just so impressed with the customer service. Thank you!
Emmy dislikes: The bandana was a little too snug for Tico, and because of his sensitivities to literally everything, he's not much of a bandana dog, so I could've done without that (though it is super cute!). Also, it's the most expensive subscription box out of all three, though just by a few dollars, and it's the same price whether you buy just one or go with a year-round subscription.
Barkbox ships around the 15th of every month and once the box is shipped, they would send you an email confirming your shipment and customers in the US living in the lower 48 states will have free shipping, with their boxes being delivered within 2-8 business days. US customers also get tracking details. Customers in Canada can expect the subscription box for their dogs within 4-12 days of shipment and they apologize for the lack of tracking details as you cannot track your box once it leaves the US. Shipping costs about $5 for customers in Canada and other outer states in the US.
Emmy likes: The blue hippo toy is super durable and has a little slot where you can slip in some treats, which will keep Tico occupied for a wee bit when I leave the house. Also, wow: the appleberry treats smell like cinnamon cookies! (They're made from all-natural ingredients including applesauce, blueberries, honey, and cinnamon.) The jerky treats are "chippable," so you can break off just a little at a time, which is great for ~portion~ control or as training treats. Also, the "heavy chewers" box is just $5 more than the cost of a regular box, and it's customizable for common allergies; you can also email them if your pup's allergies aren't listed and they'll be happy to accommodate.
When I contacted customer service the person I was chatting with made me feel like I was incompetent and that it was my own fault for not understanding and reading the very fine print that was smaller than the other wording at the bottom of the page, so needless to say I was very upset. I was not offered a refund and basically, they told me to just deal with it. So I canceled my credit card and went about my way. I did a review of them after the chat and told them why I was upset and what my issue was.
For prices starting at $15 a month, your dog will receive daily meal packs made entirely of human-grade ingredients to meet your pup’s personal needs. Designed by veterinarians, these meals provide the perfect nutritional diet for your furry friend as opposed to dried dog food with less-than-ideal add-ins. And aside from the health benefits, these meal packs are so tasty, even humans might want a bite.
If you’ve recently brought a new puppy into your life and pretty much have no idea what the heck you’re doing, PupBox is ideal for you. Not only does the box provide monthly toys, treats, and accessories for your puppy, but it also includes a ton of training information that you might need if you find yourself constantly yelling “Don’t eat that!” and “Not in the house!”
Doggie Lawn is definitely one of those services that you had no idea you needed. The company will deliver a patch of all natural real grass to your pup once a month for a maintenance-free way to get your dog to do his business. Perfect for working dog moms trying to train their fur baby, these units smell like real grass (unlike potty pads or faux grass).
Soon after we adopted Ada (beagle mix, 16 pounds, 1 year), we learned we had a serious gnawer on our hands. Of all the elaborate toys we’ve impulse-bought to deter her from eating our belongings, the inexpensive Nylabone Dura Chew is one of the few that have withstood her teeth for more than a week. While the toy looks scraped-up at the edges these days, none of the plastic is actually coming off, as happens with most stuff she puts in her mouth (RIP to all the animal-shaped toys). The Nylabone’s slim shape tucks easily into her travel carrier when we head out to visit family, and it keeps the peace while we’re there. The classic design makes for some pretty adorable moments, too. It comes in a couple of flavors, but of the two we’ve bought, the original flavor is the one in heavy rotation. Don’t overthink it.

Soon after we adopted Ada (beagle mix, 16 pounds, 1 year), we learned we had a serious gnawer on our hands. Of all the elaborate toys we’ve impulse-bought to deter her from eating our belongings, the inexpensive Nylabone Dura Chew is one of the few that have withstood her teeth for more than a week. While the toy looks scraped-up at the edges these days, none of the plastic is actually coming off, as happens with most stuff she puts in her mouth (RIP to all the animal-shaped toys). The Nylabone’s slim shape tucks easily into her travel carrier when we head out to visit family, and it keeps the peace while we’re there. The classic design makes for some pretty adorable moments, too. It comes in a couple of flavors, but of the two we’ve bought, the original flavor is the one in heavy rotation. Don’t overthink it.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect: -Love your dog but don’t need a BIG box of stuff every month? This is for you!Treat your pup for $9.99/mo delivered! -Receive at LEAST 1 bag of treats (all made in USA or Canada) and one toy – The retail value is always worth more than $10 AND we ship it free! No dealing with traffic going to the store and no more paying insane pet store pricing! -Access to secret deals and add-ons! Most important? Have something special for your pup every month like clockwork! -Shipping schedule: All boxes ship between the 20th and 25th of the month. No hassle cancellations, but you won’t want to. Your dog will be too excited each month

I am so far only subscribed for a month but I am so glad I did. What made me subscribe, believe it or not was the customer service, they were great. I had a ton of questions when I was browsing their website and not because I was being difficult but because I got burned by my last subscription with Pupbox. Upon receiving the first box, my decision to bite into a 6-month plan was very easily justified. Everything in the box was good quality as promised. It was a fun surprise opening the box. There were a couple of things in the box that we didn’t quite like because it had poultry, but all I had to do was email them and they sent a replacement immediately. They also explained that the welcome box is like a sample box and is in my experience whatever we didn’t want or work will be replaced, no questions asked.
Loot Pets is a subscription from Loot Crate. Its focus is on geeky dog toys, treats, and gear! You can expect apparel, accessories, toys, treats (Treats available in the USA only; An item of equal value will be substituted for international orders.) and more. Loot Pets also helps pets in need by donating $1 from each subscription purchase to local and national pet charities.
If you’re raising your puppy in a city or urban area, this might be the perfect solution for a small outdoor space that lacks foliage like a patio or a balcony. Since the product is an actual living plant, the root bed is able to break down odors and the entire thing is compostable at the end of the month. It almost seems too good to be true for only $24 a month!
Each BarkBox surprise is sent on the 15th of each month, and most consumers have reported that they’ve received their packages quickly and without delays. However, if you’re a new BarkBox customer and sign up after the 10th, keep in mind that your package will not be sent until the 15th of the following month. In the event that your BarkBox is delivered with a defective item, the company provides all members with the opportunity to immediately send it back, at which point you’ll either receive a replacement or a credit toward your account.
First, they don’t see themselves as just another subscription box service. They see themselves as a modern concierge service that combines the best of convenience, control, and value. They offer a lot of ways to customize your box including choices for grain-free gourmet treats, options for toys-only or treats-only boxes, the ability to choose toys tailored to your dog’s chewing style, and offer a multi-dog option for larger households.
I ordered my first BarkBox which was estimated to arrive this Thursday, October 4th (tomorrow). As a first time box buyer you're supposed to receive your box 2-8 business days from your order. I checked on status today and it now says that the box is "still being prepared" when just a couple days ago it had the arrival date of 10/4/18. I already paid for the full 6 months subscription up front. When trying to chat with a service rep they said they had no idea of an estimated date in which I would receive the box. When I asked to cancel the subscription she said I could only cancel going forward and not be refunded for the 6 months I had already paid for. Welcome to BarkBox I suppose! Duped out of my money right out of the gate. I will be going to BBB to get a refund. Paying for services/product then being told "we have no idea what you'll receive this product" is not an acceptable way to do business.

My C/S rep was nice and answered my question, but I was not happy with the answer. When we started, referred friends got a free box and we received a free box. That has changed and we were not notified. I referred a friend and they did not get a free box so they did not sign up. It made me look foolish. If I would have known I would have referred them, but not told them they would get a free first box.

Within 24 hours of making my review, I was contacted by someone else with the company who had reviewed my chat and felt that I was not treated fairly or listened too and that my concerns were valid enough to where they wanted to make it right. They have since sent me 6 more bark boxes (free of charge) AND donated to a pet rescue of my choice in honor of my own pups who are rescues.
After launching in 2011, Barkbox saw more than $1 million in revenues per month after only 2 years in business. By February 2014, they reached $25 million in revenue per year. It’s no wonder so many other monthly dog box companies popped up after Barkbox’s initial (and continuing) success. Here are the features that make Barkbox a winner for you and your pooch:
Hey there Cathy and Rascals! Thanks so much for your review and we are so sorry to hear that the toys are not tough enough for Rascal! We can't keep that tail wagging if the toys are not lasting! We do have wonderful durability options such as our super chewer box and our more durable classic boxes. Then we are so sorry for the trouble with trying to cancel your account. Right now when you sign up for a multi month commitment and cancel that stops the renewal. So you will still get the commitment that you signed up for and none following that. We do try to make that apparent at sign up but it can be easy to miss. Then I went in for you on my end and closed your current account. If anything changes we would love to have you and Rascals back in the pack with more durablility or a treat only box!
Every BarkBox delivers 2 original toys, tailored to your dog’s size, 2 full bags of all-natural treats, and a scrumptious, high-quality chew. All of our toys are designed in-house and our treats are always made in the USA and Canada, never contain any corn, wheat, or soy. And each month, BarkBox comes wrapped in a surprise new theme for pups and their parents to enjoy, like our popular “Chewrassic Bark,”“Space Squirrels,” and “Knights of the Hound Table” boxes.

They ask about my animals by name and have checked up on me twice since to see if my little ones are enjoying the gifts from Bark Box. They also are looking into making sure that other people can understand the terms of their boxes and do not make the same mistakes that I had, as well as working with their chat department to better their customer service in the future.

Claire's and Emmy's thoughts: First off, every one of these boxes helps other dogs in need, which is just so incredibly awesome and something you can feel good about. Barkbox donates 10% of profits to different shelters and rescues in the US and Canada; Dapper Dog donates $1 per box different rescues, shelters, and other pet organizations; and PupJoy donates $2 from every subscription box to the Bissell Pet Foundation, which works with rescues to provide resources for pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and foster care. Yay for giving back!
We would love to see about getting a review on our new SquirrelCrate! We are a monthly subscription for the particular pups and their people. We customize each box based on a dog’s diet sensitivities. (wheat-free, vegan…) We never include cheap plastic toys, or rawhide choking hazards. Most of out gifts are from small business, made in small, high quality batches. Thanks, I would love to hear from you!
Reviews from She Speaks and Influentser speak to the indestructibility of this toy. They also recommend freezing the toy with peanut butter filling as a refreshing summer treat. Our own testing revealed that even the smaller size of this toy was surprisingly durable and it was great for games of fetch. Our test dog couldn't get enough of the KONG Extreme Dog Toy's bouncing action, and the toy remained intact against her sharp puppy teeth.
Claire likes: While I don't want to know exactly what's in my box because it kinda takes some of the surprise and fun away, personally, PupJoy's customization options are a godsend for people who have allergy-prone dogs or already have a trunkful of toys. I thought the red bone thing was really cool — it had a soothing feel to it and a crunchy texture on the inside. Also WOW, this box is a good deal.
I have tried Pet Gift Box and Barkbox. I have a beagle with allergies and is rough with his toys so I like that BarkBox provides boxes for them. Both have really cute themes. Pet Gift Box was Back To School it had a yellow bus toy, apple squeaky ball, a carton of milk filled with cookies, and notebook shaped treat. BarkBox the first one was New York themed a Statue of Liberty squeaky ball, chinese box with dumplings it was a toy, I didn’t like October’s box the vampire fang squeaky ball was cute but the coffin squeaky toy was kinda morbid but I guess it is the Vampires it was wood looking soft 4 rope pulls. November was a squeaky apron, and a turkey leg shaped ball that dispense treats when he rolls it around. BarkBox C.S. is excellent. I had to blast Pet Gift Box on twitter for their failure to respond to my emails and no info on shipping 3 weeks had passed and the site said 6-10 days I think but my gripe was they failed to answer any of my emails. They were like Flash Gordon after my tweet shame I had to go thru all that. Maybe they could offer a plan where you can get clothing and accessories instead of toys and treats but my beagle has never forgiven me for sweater I put on him it was a tad snug..lol. After that if you put anything on him he just lays on his back wiggling and twisting. But as for now I am grateful that he is able to get treats and toys he can actually enjoy he seems to be allergic to everything and he has Addisons disease he gets a shot every month. I think Pet Giftbox offers the allergy friendly and heavy chewers box called PawPack.
They ask about my animals by name and have checked up on me twice since to see if my little ones are enjoying the gifts from Bark Box. They also are looking into making sure that other people can understand the terms of their boxes and do not make the same mistakes that I had, as well as working with their chat department to better their customer service in the future.
Membership at BarkPark encompasses one dog and up to two humans. (Bark suggests “each dog to come with his/her two favorite humans, so bring a friend, a coworker, or a hot date.”) Memberships will go on sale in mid-August, and pricing is tiered at daily ($19), monthly ($48), and season passes ($78). Discounts are available for multi-dog homes and local Nashville businesses. Events held at the park, like the comedy show and yoga meetups, are free to attend for all members.